2022-04-13
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Hall Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue, Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 5:30 PM
Mission:
The Meridian Parks & Recreation Commission is a volunteer citizens' group that is created
and empowered to advise the City on issues relating to park facilities and recreation
programs of the City. Their mission is to gather input from staff and other qualified personnel
on issues relating to the creation and design of public parks and open spaces; to listen to
public input; and to provide advice and recommendations on parks and recreation related
matters to the Mayor and City Council.
All materials presented at public meetings become property of the City of Meridian. Anyone desiring accommodation
for disabilities should contact the City Clerk's Office at 208-888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting.
Agenda
VIRTUAL MEETING INSTRUCTIONS
To join the meeting online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86503650931
Webinar ID: 865 0365 0931
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Mandi Roberts
____ Camden Hyde ____ Brandon Simpson
____ Mike Medellin
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. February 9, 2022 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Volunteer Appreciation
Mike Barton, MPR Parks Superintendent ~ 5 minutes
3. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
4. Communities in Motion 2050
Carl Miller, Community Planning Association (COMPASS) Principal Planner ~ 20
minutes
5. Community Garden Update
Juli Bokenkamp, Meridian Co-op Gardeners President ~ 20 minutes
6. Pathways Tour Route Discussion
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 10 minutes
OLD BUSINESS ~ NONE
WORKSHOP ~ NONE
STAFF REPORTS
7. MPR Staff ~ 15 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ May 11, 2022 at 5:30 PM ~ Pathways Tour
2022 All-Commission Goals:
1. Support the construction of Discovery Park Phase 2.
2. Support development of a connected pathway system across the City of Meridian,
with a focus on developing projects for future construction.
3. Participate in the design and programming of a new Community Center.
4. Support the development of the Comprehensive Park System Master Plan Update.
5. Participate in the partnership with the Meridian Arts Commission to add theming
and identity reinforcing art in Meridian parks and along pathways.
6. Support future improvements at Lakeview Golf Course.
7. Pursue improved tools and opportunities to engage citizens and stakeholders.
8. Host and participate in a strategic workshop with the Urban Land Institute
regarding pathway improvements.
9. Provide feedback on the design for new playgrounds at Chateau Park and Bear
Creek Park.
10. Discuss and provide input on efforts to assess and take over operations of the
Meridian Pool.
11. Engage other task forces, commissions, entities, and agencies through workshops
and other outreach for partnership opportunities.
12. Continue to foster greater Commission involvement/presence in community events
whenever appropriate.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
City Hall Council Chambers, 33 East Broadway Avenue, Meridian, Idaho
Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 5:30 PM
Mission:
The Meridian Parks & Recreation Commission is a volunteer citizens' group that is created
and empowered to advise the City on issues relating to park facilities and recreation
programs of the City. Their mission is to gather input from staff and other qualified personnel
on issues relating to the creation and design of public parks and open spaces; to listen to
public input; and to provide advice and recommendations on parks and recreation related
matters to the Mayor and City Council.
All materials presented at public meetings become property of the City of Meridian. Anyone desiring accommodation
for disabilities should contact the City Clerk's Office at 208-888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the public meeting.
Agenda
VIRTUAL MEETING INSTRUCTIONS
To join the meeting online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86503650931
Webinar ID: 865 0365 0931
ROLL-CALL ATTENDANCE
____ Jo Greer, President ____ Keith Bevan, Vice President
____ Dom Gelsomino ____ John Nesmith
____ Jennifer Bobo ____ Mandi Roberts
____ Camden Hyde ____ Brandon Simpson
____ Mike Medellin
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
1. February 9, 2022 Regular Meeting
Jo Greer, MPRC President ~ 2 minutes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2. Volunteer Appreciation
Mike Barton, MPR Parks Superintendent ~ 5 minutes
Page 1
3. Upcoming Events
Shelly Houston, MPR Marketing Coordinator ~ 5 minutes
NEW BUSINESS
4. Communities in Motion 2050
Carl Miller, Community Planning Association (COMPASS) Principal Planner ~ 20
minutes
5. Community Garden Update
Juli Bokenkamp, Meridian Co-op Gardeners President ~ 20 minutes
6. Pathways Tour Route Discussion
Kim Warren, MPR Pathways Project Manager ~ 10 minutes
OLD BUSINESS ~ NONE
WORKSHOP ~ NONE
STAFF REPORTS
7. MPR Staff ~ 15 minutes
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING ~ May 11, 2022 at 5:30 PM ~ Pathways Tour
2022 All-Commission Goals:
1. Support the construction of Discovery Park Phase 2.
2. Support development of a connected pathway system across the City of Meridian,
with a focus on developing projects for future construction.
3. Participate in the design and programming of a new Community Center.
4. Support the development of the Comprehensive Park System Master Plan Update.
5. Participate in the partnership with the Meridian Arts Commission to add theming
and identity reinforcing art in Meridian parks and along pathways.
6. Support future improvements at Lakeview Golf Course.
7. Pursue improved tools and opportunities to engage citizens and stakeholders.
8. Host and participate in a strategic workshop with the Urban Land Institute
regarding pathway improvements.
9. Provide feedback on the design for new playgrounds at Chateau Park and Bear
Creek Park.
Page 2
10. Discuss and provide input on efforts to assess and take over operations of the
Meridian Pool.
11. Engage other task forces, commissions, entities, and agencies through workshops
and other outreach for partnership opportunities.
12. Continue to foster greater Commission involvement/presence in community events
whenever appropriate.
Page 3
Page 4Item 1.
Page 5Item 1.
Page 6Item 1.
Page 7Item 1.
Page 8Item 1.
Page 9Item 1.
Page 10Item 1.
Page 11Item 1.
Page 12Item 1.
Page 13Item 1.
Page 14Item 1.
Page 15Item 1.
Page 16Item 1.
Page 17Item 1.
Page 18Item 1.
Page 19Item 1.
Page 20Item 1.
Page 21Item 1.
Page 22Item 1.
Page 23Item 1.
MERIDIAN PARKS AND RECREATION COMISSION
DATE: APRIL 13, 2022
Topic: Communities in Motion 2050, Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan for Ada and
Canyon Counties
Background/Summary:
The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) serves as the metropolitan
planning organization for Ada and Canyon Counties. As such, it develops a regional long-range
transportation plan for the two-county area. The plan must have a minimum 20-year horizon
and be updated every four years. The current plan is Communities in Motion 2040 2.0 (CIM
2040 2.0). The next update, Communities in Motion 2050 (CIM 2050), will plan to a horizon year
of 2050 and is scheduled to be presented to the COMPASS Board of Directors for adoption in
December 2022.
The goal of Communities in Motion is to ensure that the Treasure Valley – Ada and Canyon
Counties – remains a healthy and economically vibrant region that offers people choices in how
and where they live, work, play, and travel. To do that, CIM 2050 forecasts how the region is
expected to grow, anticipates the transportation needs to accommodate that growth, then
prioritizes projects to meet those needs.
Key aspects of CIM 2050 include:
• A forecasted population of 1.075 million in Ada and Canyon Counties by 2050
• The CIM 2050 Vision, the preferred growth and transportation scenario to 2050 for Ada and
Canyon Counties
• A complete network policy — a regional, multimodal, integrated, vision for transportation
corridors
• A funding policy to guide how federal transportation funding is allocated
COMPASS is working with member agencies to compile the draft the plan for public comment in
September 2022.
More Information:
1) CIM 2050: https://www.compassidaho.org/prodserv/cim2050.htm
2) For questions, contact Carl Miller at 208/475-2239 or cmiller@compassidaho.org.
Page 24
Item 4.
Growing Connections...
2021 Annual Report
We are 32 families gardening together in
a small corner of Kleiner Park in
Meridian, Idaho. Instead of a typical
community garden model where
gardeners have their own plots, this
garden connects people together around
one large plot that we work communally.
Our gardeners are children, youth and
adults of all ages, backgrounds, cultures,
and abilities who we empower to take part
in every job at the garden. Everybody
learns how to do everything, and has input
on garden ideas and decision making.
Being a part of this shared space gives
people an opportunity to be inspired,
solve problems, share humor, vent
frustrations, and share achievements.
Bringing together like-minded people
nurtures a rewarding and engaging
community. There’s no limit to what we
can accomplish!
We passionately maintain this
community garden area that includes a no-
till section, 4 raised beds, 13 fruit trees in
the park, a compost area, a pollinator
garden, and a shed for storage. We work
side-by-side teaching and helping one
another in the process of creating and
growing high quality, organic, nutrient-
dense food for our families and for those
with food and nutrition insecurity.
in the garden and in our community…while growing
vegetables for our families and for those in need.
This report highlights
the community garden
season, the pollinator
garden, and everything
else in between.
Every year I am amazed at what
is accomplished in this garden
and 2021 was no different. With
continuing Covid-19 concerns,
poor air quality from forest fires,
and hot summer temperatures it
was one of the most physically
challenging and mentally
exhausting seasons to date. In
spite of our struggles the garden
thrived.
it embraces character, spirit,
pride, and shared goals. We
matter to one another. You may
not become friends with
everyone, but you get to meet and
know many people which is what
community is all about. Building
and growing relationships in the
garden and around the
community is intentional and
necessary. Everything we do has
a clear purpose and focus that
brings all of us together around
the garden.
This garden has become a
powerful way for people to
connect, work, and relax with
others. It provides healthy and
enriching experiences that create
a more connected and generous
community. Our gardeners love
being a part of what we do and
are deeply committed to the
garden. They continue to show
up week after week, starting in
April and ending in October.
You don’t do that if you don’t
love it! We bring out the best in
each other. When you depend on
and assist one another it creates a
sense of teamwork and belonging
I am grateful for the empowering
partnership with the City of
Meridian, the inspiring and
dedicated gardeners who make a
commitment to this garden, and
for the uplifting support we
receive from the community. I
am excited to be planning my
tenth year in the garden and
looking forward to 2022.
With Gratitude,
Juli Bokenkamp
Meridian Co-Op Gardeners
About Us
Page 25
Item 5.
One big family...
Meridian Food Bank, Community
Ministries Center, St. Mark’s
Community Food Bank, and
Immanuel Lutheran Food
Fellowship (that provides a meal to
about 100 persons each week). Red
and green tomatoes were given
away in the community, potatoes
gleaned from a farm in Middleton,
and squash grown at Two Dogs and
a Gopher Garden added a few
hundred extra pounds toward our
end total. We held an in-house
peanut butter and jelly drive for
Community Ministries Center to
help fill their shelves and delivered
apples, peppers and cabbages from
Wagner Farms after the season was
over. Sharing food helps build a
stronger community.
Education in the Garden
We cultivate a community of healthy, happy, and enthusiastic adults
and young people by encouraging them to put their hands in the dirt,
eat well, and learn the transformative power of growing their own food.
The community garden and the pollinator habitats provide an engaging
space and connects all of us to plants, soil, agriculture, nutrition and
healthy food, sustainability, environmental stewardship, habitats, and
nature. Everything we do is focused on food and education while
providing unique opportunities to learn from one another.
This year 11 kindergarteners from WINGS, in Boise, toured the garden.
We supplied them with green tomatoes to make green tomato pies for
one of their food projects. Everyone loved them until they found out
they were made with “green tomatoes”. Cub Scout Pack # 95 and Girl
Scout Troop #215 helped with pollinator garden projects. An Eagle
Scout from Boy Scout Troop #78 installed bird nesting houses near the
pollinator garden.
“The garden provides for varying
levels of companionship on any given
garden day. It provides space for
those who want to spend more time
with their families, engage with the
friends they have made in the garden,
or for those who want to share the
garden space with others while
completing a more solitary task.
When we are in the garden together,
we are one big family knowing that
each person may have a different
need that day, and that is okay! I feel
that each person is appreciated and
each social need is embraced.”
Brodie
Our gardeners work together,
April through October, to maintain
the garden—this includes planting,
watering, weeding, trellising,
cultivating, and harvesting. This
year we grew apples, artichokes,
beans, beets, blueberries, cabbage,
carrots, celery, chard, collards,
cucumbers, eggplant, fennel,
flowers, garlic, herbs, horseradish,
jostaberries, kale, leeks, lettuces,
melons, onions, peaches, peppers,
potatoes, pumpkins, radishes,
rhubarb, summer and winter
squash, tomatoes, and watermelon.
8,362 pounds of organically grown
produce was donated to those who
are hungry and where there are
food insecurity problems.
Donations were made through the
Planting seeds and watching them grow is a
magical experience for children and adults of
all ages. It teaches important life skills. It is
exciting to see how most food begins its
journey in the ground. Planting a small
carrot seed, watching the greens develop and
then later pulling up an orange carrot from
the ground never disappoints.
Planted and Maintained
Labor Detail
The Ada County Sheriff’s
Alternative Sentencing program
provided 148 service hours with the
help of 27 clients.
ENEL X
Four employees worked a total of
eight hours helping to take down
the garden at the end of the season.
Page 26
Item 5.
Lil’ and Junior Gardeners :
The children who are a part of the garden have a unique opportunity to
participate in various classes throughout the gardening season…along
with helping in every aspect in and around the garden. It’s important to
us to keep the younger generations involved in garming and gardening.
ask the experts >>>
We were excited to bring back our
Lil’ Gardeners Program this year.
Up to twenty children at a time
participated in various activities led
by adults within our garden
community. Garden-based
education classes included:
1. Growing and planting
sunflowers
2. Habitats and building fairy
gardens
3. Making flower arrangements
4. Pollinators and using
butterfly nets
5. Seed saving and making
pinecone birdfeeders
Gardening is a healthy and fun
activity for children. They develop
new skills and learn more about
nature and science while growing
food for their families. Children are
often motivated to eat what they
grow in the garden. They help plant
seeds and seedlings, water, weed,
harvest, and especially enjoy taking
down the garden at the end of the
season when they can use the
wheelbarrows like the adults. This
garden provides an environment in
which children can observe,
discover, experiment, and learn.
These real-life experiences help
prepare them to be active
participants in the garden.
Through the Eyes of a Child:
“I like to pick peppers and also
play with my friend. I like to make
all the fun crafts.” Noah (6)
“I like cucamelons.” Addison (6)
“I like playing with my friends,
watering the plants and eating the
carrots.” Ryken (8)
“I like the celery and the
sunflowers. I loved making the
pinecone birdfeeders. I like to
harvest cucamelons.” LyleighAnna
(8)
“I like tomatoes.” DehkLynn (6)
“I like helping people and growing
carrots.” Everett (6)
“I like weeding, eating kale and
cucamelons, and harvesting
carrots.” Forrest (2)
Page 27
Item 5.
Dahlias and Other Flowers
This year, through generous
donations, we added a variety of
dahlias to the garden. They are
beautiful, elegant and vividly
colored flowers. Unlike the
annuals and perennials we grow
these are tuberous perennials
(but considered annuals in our
zone). They required staking and
must be dug up in the fall. The
tubers are stored over the winter
in temperatures between 40-55
degrees. If they overwinter
successfully we look forward to
planting them again in the
spring. They were a wonderful
addition to our flower
arrangements and one of the
longest lasting cut flowers.
In addition to the dahlias, we
added new varieties of other
flowers to the garden as well.
Four free flower cutting events
were held for the public. These
events included educational
sessions on creating flower
arrangements. 260 flower
arrangments were created in
total (116 more than 2021) and
shared with families, friends,
neighbors, and strangers to help
brighten our community. We
hope they show kindness and
bring encouragement and joy to
the people around us.
Another special flower cutting
event included the Junior and
Lil’ Gardeners. They received a
lesson on flower selection,
conditioning, design basics, and
most of all were encouraged to
have fun! Their flower
arrangements were amazing.
Rochelle Adams and The Free
Flower Project donated
additional flowers for this event.
Page 28
Item 5.
Other 2021
Updates
The pollinator garden is a great
example of native plants. It
attracts native pollinators, and
quite a few people too. A new
group, Friends of the Pollinator
Garden, helped with cleanup
activities in the spring. Girl
Scout Troop #215 planted
milkweed and also built four
butterfly and pollinator habitat
boxes for the garden. Eight bird
nesting houses were installed as
part of an Eagle Scout project.
Thirteen fruit trees planted in the
park grew well. The city arborist
and one of our gardeners held a
tree pruning class for our group
in February. We harvested a few
apples and some peaches,
however, peaches and apples
from two trees were harvested
without permission.
Kleiner Park Pollinator
Garden and Fruit Trees
In partnership with the City of
Meridian, we identified areas at
Heroes Park that were ideal to
create more pollinator habitat.
Drip irrigation was already in
place but plants were needed.
Two trays of annuals and
perennials identified as
beneficial for native pollinators
were donated through The Ada
Soil and Water Conservation
District who sponsored the
Treasure Valley Pollinator
Project. Mountain View High
School donated annuals, our
garden group contributed
annuals and perennials, and the
City purchased additional plants
to make this project possible. A
few of our gardeners and nearby
neighbors (7 adults and 3
children) helped to plant more
than 400 plants. This area
bloomed throughout the summer
and received compliments from
those walking by. The
pollinators seemed quite happy
with this addition. Boy Scout
Pack #95 helped with end of
season clean up by weeding and
removing spent annuals. The
clean-up was scheduled through
the Parks and Recreation
Volunteer Coordinator, Chelsea
Cantrell.
Heroes Park Pollinator
Planting Project
We hope to continue planting
and expanding the pollinator
planting at Heroes Park as time
and funding permits.
Page 29
Item 5.
Western Idaho Fair:
WE WON!
It was exciting to be a part of the
Western Idaho Fair again. Some
of our favorite and best flowers
and vegetables were selected for
entries. We won a Blue Ribbon
Vegetable plaque for 2021. The
cucumber, eggplant, and melon
took Best of the Best sponsored
by Reggies Veggies. We won 18
first place, 11 second place, 8
third place, 1 fourth place, and
one honorable mention. Plus
four entriesribbons for the
largest in category. The flowers
won 14 first place, 7 second
place, 5 third place, 2 honorable
mentions, and the Akita dahlia
took Best of Division.
Idaho News Channel 6 (KIVI TV)
did a feature story on our efforts
at the garden and how we donate
produce to local food banks.
Black Badger Media has also
taken photos, video, and did a
personal interview.
Little Free Library and
Free Seeds
A Little Free Library, built and
installed by our gardeners, is
now located at the entrance to
the community garden and
maintenance yard of Kleiner
Park. It is filled with books and
seeds to share with the
community. The outside is
designed and painted by Rachel
Sulik (Boise) with 31 different
pollinators and fun whimsical
flowers on all four sides. When
you visit try to find all 31!
D & B Seed Donations
For the past three years D & B
in Meridian has donated the
end of season Livingston
vegetable, herb, and flower
seeds to our group. The
quantity is HUGE. We use
these seeds in our garden and
share them with the
community. Hundreds of seed
packets were bundled for
porch pick ups in the spring…
and shared with backyard
gardeners, homesteaders, and
small farmers. We shared not
only seeds but plants we grew.
These were shared with Idaho
State Correctional Institution
(Boise), Women’s and
Children’s Alliance (Boise),
City Light Home for Women
(Boise), Barbara Morgan
Elementary School (Meridian)
and an I Heart Treasure
Valley project on the Blue
Cross garden site (Meridian)
to help their gardening
programs. Mountain View
High School Horticulture
program provided tomatoes
and peppers for the I Heart
garden.
domestic geese. Hundreds of
pounds from our garden and
Two Dogs and a Gopher Garden
were collected and delivered.
We also connected with two
neighborhoods and collected
more than 500 pumpkins and 7
bales of straw.
Dominifarm Animal
Sanctuary, Inc.
Dominifarm, located in Kuna,
Idaho is an animal sanctuary.
We were able to donate
oversized and less than perfect
produce to help feed their
animals. They have horses,
cows, goats, chickens, cows,
pigs, turkeys, ducks, emus, and
In the News…
Page 30
Item 5.
Additional Details about 2021
“According to the National
Weather Service, the summer of
2021 was the hottest on record.
It was 100 degrees or hotter for
12 days in a row in July, and the
lowest high temperature was 91
degrees.” (Idaho Statesman,
Jan Max Stevenson, 9-02-2021).
The high temperatures and
smoke from regional forest fires
created challenges in working
and enjoying the garden. Rain
was minimal causing drought
conditions around the area. We
were incredibly thankful that our
garden irrigation continued to
flow through the end of our
season. Unfortunately, many
community gardens in the area
lost their water a month early.
A number of improvements were
made this year including entry
way flower baskets. One of our
gardeners used round concrete
forms spray painted black to
cover the old gate posts. Flower
baskets were placed on the top.
The same gardener also created
a wonderful watering system
that attaches to a hose spigot
allowing multiple children to
fill their watering cans easier
and at the same time. At the end
of the season our tool and
equipment shed was painted to
match the maintenance yard
building.
Juli stayed connected to the
Treasure Valley Community
Garden Cooperataive and
attended a number of field trips
to other gardens including:
Canyon Springs Garden
Outreach (Middleton), Harvest
Heroes Veteran’s Garden
(Nampa), The Gift International
Garden (Ontario), and Ed
Keener’s Garden (Boise). It is a
great opportunity to see what
other gardeners are doing, share
resources, and bring ideas to
use in this garden.
We try to make the time in our
off season to stay connected with
each other. This year we held a
wreath making class
This year Juli was nominated to
be the Grand Marshal for the
Meridian Winter Parade. A
number of our gardeners joined in
the fun. It was exciting to be
recognized for the work we do in
the community.
Goals: moving forward
we will continue to…grow
fresh and organic produce for our
families, share our harvest with
those who struggle with food
security in and around our
community, grow flowers to be
enjoyed and shared, maintain the
pollinator garden spaces, and
provide education to our
gardeners and the community.
During 2022 we intend to focus on
the quality of the food we provide
to the food bank. This will include
selection, presentation and
labeling of food delivered. To the
food banks. We want to make sure
the food banks need and can use
the selection of produce we
provide.
Other goals include: (1) adding a
fourth dahlia row; (2) offering a
fruit tree pruning class that the
public can be invited to; (3)
cutting down potato boxes to make
smaller raised beds that will be
added to Zone 5; (4) having
gardeners teach gardeners what
they know by hosting special
classes taught at the end of our
workday sessions; (5) finding
ways to protect our fruit trees
from public harvesting; (6)
connecting with Friends of the
Pollinator Garden group at least
twice each year; (7) creating an
informational brochure to place in
the Lilttle Library; (8) and
continuing discussions with the
City of Meridian about adding a
shade structure.
Page 31
Item 5.
Quotes from our gardeners
“It was a very enjoyable first year
for me. I learned a lot about
varieties of veggies I had never even
heard of let alone eaten. Folks were
friendly and welcoming. I am very
impressed with the garden
leadership. I am impressed with the
“ownership” of the garden by its
members. Folks rightly consider it
“their” garden and behave
accordingtly. It was a joy to work
together with so many folks who
love digging in the dirt, tending the
growing plants, and enjoying the
fruits of their labor.” Jim
“Participating in the community
garden has been the highlight of my
summer. I’ve so enjoyed getting to
know so many people who I might
otherwise never encounter. Working
in a group has always been my
preference, so why not apply that to
gardening? Being a part of the
garden has fulfilled my desire to
have a beautiful garden while
working with others and I’ve
learned a lot while doing it.
I’ve gained so much pleasure by
being able to share flowers with so
many too. Thank you , community,
for being the delight that you are; in
welcoming new friendships,
celebrating old and working
together through it all.” Kim
“Being a member of MCG has been
an educational and fun experience
for our family. I love that more
experienced gardeners help newer
gardeners learn new skills. My kids
have learned how to spot squash
bugs, harvest chard, and plant
vegetables properly.” Tianna
“I'm looking forward to another
garden season. I always enjoy the
growing, weeding & all the
"interaction".” Dick
“Participating in the community
garden has been the highlight of
my summer. I’ve so enjoyed
getting to know so many people
who I might otherwise never
encounter. Working in a group has
always been my preference, so
why not apply that to gardening.
Being a part of the garden has
fulfilled my desire to have a
beautiful garden while working
with others and I’ve learned a lot
while doing it.
Thank you , community, for being
the delight that you are; in
welcoming new friendships,
celebrating old and working
together through it all.” Kim
“It was a very enjoyable first year
for me I learned a lot about
varieties of veggies I had never
even heard of, let alone eaten.
Folks were friendly and
welcoming. I am very impressed
with the garden leadership. I am
impressed with the “ownership”
of the garden by its members.
Folks rightly consider it “their
garden and behave accordingly.”
Jim
“I have loved being a part of the
garden. The incredible quality of
people that are a part of this
community bring so much joy to
me every time I come to work. I
have learned so much about the
types of veggies available to grow
in Idaho and my world of tomatoes
will never be the same. I am
completely spoiled! Thank you and
thanks to everyone who makes this
possible, as an outreach and a
generous learning and gardening
experience.” Celeste
“The community garden fills me
up in so many ways. I love
spending time getting to know
people, serving the community,
getting some exercise, and being
outdoors. I am amazed at what all
gets accomplished and how much
we can help with food bank
donations. It’s been fun hearing
Levi and Laurel talk to other
people about the garden and what
it’s about. Chrissy
“I’m grateful to have been a part
of the co-op garden this year. It
was wonderful meeting people
from all walks of life as we
gathered together twice a week
working in different areas to learn
about the process it takes to grow
our own food. I loved that it was a
natural way to add this to our
personal homeschooling process
as well.” Christina
“The garden is such a special place
for all of us to work together to
create something amazing that
serves so many people in our
community. The garden is a
peaceful place to be in a very
hectic world. Looking forward to
2022!” Kristin
“I just finished my 3rd year in the
garden and each year I am amazed
by how much I learn and how
wonderful the people are. This
community is top notch. The
commitment to the garden by so
many members I think is the best
experience about the garden! The
garden always looks so well
maintained and the produce is
A++. I love this community
garden.” Debbie
“I can’t express how much joy I
get from being a part of this
group!!! I do recognize that much
of that joy is because of Juli’s
commitment and leadership. She
has created a wonderful place for
garden enthusiasts and friendship
loving/sense of belonging people
to participate. It has been a great
pleasure to be a part of this
garden.” Brodie
“It was great to be a part of a
community to learn more about
gardening and a variety of plants.
It was good to know what we were
producing was not only helping
our families but also helping the
community as we provided food to
the food banks.” Robert
Page 32
Item 5.
Finding An Agent That’s Right For You
.
*Down and Dirty Tractor Works, LLC
/Chris Verkerk
*ENEL X
*The Free Flower Project/Rochelle Adams
*Kristin Friend
*Landra Girard
*Girl Scout Troop #215
*Bronwen Godfrey
*Haneke Naturally/Jan Hanecke
*Home Depot
*KIVI TV Idaho News 6/Karen Lehr
*Living Tree Greenhouse/Linda Cowan
*Andrea Long
*Meredith Lamb Lynch
*Linda Matthews
*Randy Miller
*Shauna Miller and Two Dogs and a
Gopher Garden
*Salvatore and Jenn Miran
*Sam Moore, BSA Troop #78
*Mountain View High School/ Horticulture
Class/Trish Stokes
*Dee Oldham
*Mary Brada Pera
*Perfect Touch Landscaping/Lynn Chase
*Deb and Ken Priebe
*Kimberly and Brandon Ramm
*Dick Ross
*Jackie Schultz-Barkley
*Snake River Seeds Cooperative
*Spyglass Gardens/Steve and Wendy Smith
*Rachel Sulik
*Timbercreek Recycling/Mike Murgoitio
*Katie Tuck
*Wagner Farms/Rod and Debbie Wagner
*Walmart/James Miller
*Wild Bunch Blossoms/Carrie Bunch
*Sherwin Williams (Meridian)
We strive to create connections with community partners and are
grateful for the outpouring of support. Your donations of time, money,
seeds, plants, products, volunteer hours and discounts make a
difference in what we are able to do. You are making a difference!
Together we are teaching people how to grow their own food and
feeding those in need.
Thank You
Participants in October:
Denise Adkins, Katie Allison,
Celeste Anderson, Prakash and
Sikha Bhusal, Karl and Juli
Bokenkamp, Annie Campbell,
Jennifer Caywood, Ashley and
Josh Durham, Sue Ferguson, Kim
Fitzgibbons, Kristin Friend, Jim
Grunow, Tianna and Logan
Hagglund-Lyman, Abby Harris,
Serif Karabegovic, Suzanne
Knorr, Stephanie Ludwig, Zoe
and Jason Martindale-Schmitz,
Christina and Robert McClintock,
Carol Menten, Leia Neely, Ryan
and Yulia Nielson, Nathan and
Mariah Nunes, Karen Odell, Lin
Pyles, Dick Ross, Debbie Sanders,
Chrissy Starcher, Brodie
Whitlock, April Wood and Daniel
Parker, and Carrie Zummersch
Schultz
We ended the garden with 30
families, nearly a full roster (32).
A few of our gardeners are unable
to return next summer so we will
have a total of four openings for
new gardeners to join us. We
currently have 28 names on our
waiting list.
Our partnership with the City of
Meridian Parks and Recreation
Department makes this garden
possible. The location in the Julius
M. Kleiner Park is beautiful,
amazing, and conveniently located
inside the maintenance yard of the
park. The city provides the land
and water, along with an area for
composting. Park employees help
with a variety of projects from
turning the compost pile with
heavy equipment, tree care, and
troubleshooting and repairing the
irrigation system. A large trash
receptacle is provided at the end of
the year for when we take down the
garden. We also utilized the City
of Meridian Volunteer Coordinator
to help with a project at Heroes
Park.
Community Partners
*Ada County Sheriff’s Alternative
Sentencing Detail
*Ada Soil and Water Conservation District
*Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
*Bob Bartholomew/Leah Juarros
*Black Badger Media/Chance Owen and
Ian Compton
*Boise Urban Garden School BUGS
*Karl and Juli Bokenkamp
*Sherri Brenner
*Jim Brown/Tree Service
*Shawanda Brown
*BSA Pack #95
*Annie Campbell
*D&B Supply/Shannon Alcott
Page 33
Item 5.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ April 13, 2022 Page 1 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORTS
April 13, 2022
Parks Division
Parks Superintendent Report:
MIKE BARTON
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the April 13, 2022 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Pathways Project Manager’s Report:
KIM WARREN
(Please note, a verbal report will be provided at the April 13, 2022 MPR Commission
Meeting.)
Recreation Division
Homecourt Facility Manager’s Report:
JAKE GARRO
1. Facility Operations – Hours are Monday – Friday 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.; weekend
hours, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MPR Spring Coed Volleyball is taking place at the Homecourt on Monday and
Thursday evenings. This league will conclude in May.
2. Facility Rentals –
Future Special Events:
Page 34
Item 7.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ April 13, 2022 Page 2 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Pacific Outreach Christian Church – April 16 & 17
Select Basketball Tournament – May 6 & 7
3. Community Education/Court 5 – Court 5 is consistently scheduled throughout the
week each day for community education classes. Classes include gymnastics,
tumbling, cheerleading, pickleball, and martials arts. Classes do take place during
the weekend hours in Court 5 as well, typically during the afternoon hours on
Sunday.
4. Community Athletic Groups – Practice times have been scheduled for local AAU
groups for the months of April and May. A number of groups are in the process of
finalizing June schedules. Court space for June will be reserved at a later date.
Practices typically take place each evening Monday – Friday, from 4:30 p.m. – 10:00
p.m. It is our goal to keep all practices on 3 courts.
5. Lakeview Golf Course – I am working with Lakeview Golf staff and KemperSports
in managing operations at Lakeview Golf Course.
Recreation Coordinators’ Report:
RENEE WHITE
1. Unplug and Be Outside – Unplugged and Be Outside features a week of free
activities which encourages youth and families to be physically active and try new
activities. I am excited to once again be producing the kick-off, field day, and food
truck rally in addition to the individual classes. We have classes in arts, sports, and
recreation for all ages. This year’s event is May 7 – 14.
The kick-off is in Kleiner Park from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and features demonstrations
and workshops:
Bicycle Rodeo, by Meridian Police Department
Community Garden Tour by Meridian Co-op Gardeners
Arboretum Tour and Tree Planting
Disc Golf Lessons
Flat Tire Repair & Slime - Republic Services & Meridian Cycles
Meridian Parks & Recreation – Activity Guide, printed schedules for Unplug and
be Outside & Unplug Challenge
We are once again partnering with Be Outside Idaho and have a sponsorship from
Idaho Central Credit Union. We have used those funds for marketing and prizes. We
are offering the Unplug and Be Outside Challenge and will give away prizes that
were donated by Idaho Botanical Garden, Zoo Boise, War Hawk Museum, and Birds
of Prey. The Grand Prize is a hoverboard.
Page 35
Item 7.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ April 13, 2022 Page 3 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Check out the online schedule at www.meridiancity.com/unplug. We continue to
include a variety of self-guided options.
Additionally, I am lining up entertainment, sponsors, service vendors, executing
contracts and invoices, updating the website, and creating social media posts and
marketing flyers for all the upcoming events. It is helpful if you would like and share the
events on social media. I welcome your thoughts and participation in all our special
events. Thank you.
2. Movie Night –
3. Gene Kleiner Day –
Page 36
Item 7.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ April 13, 2022 Page 4 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
4. Independence Day Celebration –
MAGGIE COMBS
1. 2022 Winter Volleyball League – We completed the Winter Volleyball League
before the end of March.
2. 2022 Spring/Summer Softball League – We have 105 Softball teams between
Men’s and Coed leagues. The league started on March 28th on Discovery Park fields;
Storey. Bear Creek and Tully Parks fields will start to be used the week of April 11th.
3. 2022 Spring Volleyball League – League play started the week of March 28th. We
have a total of 109 Women’s and Coed teams.
4. 2022 Adult Sport Program Scorekeeper – We are currently looking for more staff
to help keep score during the 2022 sports season. The job is open on the City
website.
Page 37
Item 7.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ April 13, 2022 Page 5 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
5. Site Supervisor – Recreation - We are opening the job position for the Site
Supervisor – Recreation position. This job serves as a site supervisor for adult
sports leagues during the evenings.
SKYLER COOK
1. Field Reservations -
Meridian Chamber Field of Dreams Softball Tournament 4/9 at Storey Park.
Idaho Senior Softball begins season 4/18 at Heritage.
Ignite Baseball Tournament at Heritage 4/23 & 4/24.
2. External Events -
I am working with groups and organizations on planning their 2022 events.
I am approving MSUs and TUPs through Accela.
MS Walk Saturday 4/9 at Kleiner Park. John Meuser will help with setup on
Friday night.
The Treasure Valley Kite Festival on Saturday 4/23 has been cancelled. No
staff needed.
Idaho Fish & Game Fishing Trailer
o 4/8 at Kleiner Park
o 4/21 at Kleiner Park
o 4/27 at Settlers Park
3. Sports Leagues & Tournaments -
Winter Basketball concluded on March 16th.
The Cornhole Tournament Saturday, April 2nd had 30 teams at Meridian
Homecourt.
The Spring Cornhole league will begin in May after a ribbon cutting-
ceremony at Settlers Park. Registration date TBD.
Arts & Culture Coordinator’s Report:
CASSANDRA SCHIFFLER
1. Initial Point Gallery –
The Initial Point Gallery exhibit in March featured artwork by 25 artists in the
Treasure Valley Artist Alliance, and was themed Verdant Discourse. I organized
a social media campaign for the show highlighting an artist each day from the
day after the show until St. Patrick’s Day. (see announcement and images below)
The Initial Point Gallery exhibit for April opened on the 1st and featured abstract
artwork by Larry Balsan, Benjamin Hunt, April Davis, and Michael Norsk, with
woodworking sculptures by Gary Holt Peer. (see image below) The opening was
a great success, with around 75 guests attending.
2. Public Art Projects –
Page 38
Item 7.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ April 13, 2022 Page 6 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
The Meridian Library District’s board reviewed and approved the MOU with the
City, and we are now underway with the design stage for a mural by Key Design
at the unBound Library. We hope to have the design approved in a few months,
and this mural installed later this summer!
Western Ada Recreation District (WARD) has shown interest in a mural at the
Pool, and we have drafted an MOU for their approval for the third and final
mural in the Meridian Mural series campaign, aimed at partnering with local
businesses and organizations to install murals.
I am working on a revised Call to Artists with a two-step process RFQ + RFP for
the Five Mile Creek Pathway Trailhub public artwork. This revised Call will have
an expanded scope of work, an increased budget of $50,000, and will be released
nationally to all artists. If the Arts Commission approves the new Call, that
should be advertised later this month.
The existing mural at Tully Park was graffitied, and though it was already faded
and had some issues, the necessary graffiti removal further deteriorated the
mural. I am working on a new mural project that will include a call to youth
artists for a design, and contracting a professional mural artist to mentor and
help install the youth’s mural. The Public Art Committee has approved the
project, and I will present it to the full Arts Commission later this month and
drafting a Call to Youth Artists.
3. Art Week and Concerts on Broadway –
I am are beginning to plan classes for Art Week 2022, September 7th – 10th.
I am working to get agreements in place with the bands and audio production
company for the Concerts on Broadway series: Smooth Avenue on August 27th;
High Street on September 10th, and Soul Patch on September 24th.
4. Meridian Arts Commission – The Meridian Arts Commission has two newly-
appointed Commissioners, Bobby Gaytan and Patrick O’Leary.
5. Historic Preservation Commission –
The Commission is beginning to plan activities for Preservation Month in May,
which will include some public walking tours and possibly a presentation by the
Owyhee County Museum Director.
TAG has edited the Meridian Speedway nomination for the National Historic
Places Registry based on comments to SHPO. The nomination will be reviewed
by SHPO this month, and then submitted to the Idaho Historic Sites Review
Board for their review in June.
New Commissioners, Pam Jagosh and John Dinger, were appointed to the
Commission last month.
Page 39
Item 7.
Parks & Recreation Department Staff Reports ~ April 13, 2022 Page 7 of 7
Persons desiring accommodation for disabilities related to documents and/or hearings:
Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 888-4433 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Page 40
Item 7.